The Cabrio Suspension Thread

[treff-7]

So the size and the way the suspension fits is still the same?

the design of the suspension is the same. the only difference is the stiffness of the springs and (maybe) shocks. and the stock ride height is lower as far as i know.
i thought the size of the body was the same until i swapped my metal bumpers to the plastic ones. on coupes you need to cut the rear one because they are too long for the early style body but on convertibles they fit perfect so there has to be some difference. i never had the chance to compare them side by side.

[VacMan]

VacMan, your 'vert is so righteous! Great stance & interior. Where did you source your Koni's? I'd like to get some since everyone seems to run Bilstein with their H&R Sports...

Thanks. Got the Konis nearly new from a bimmerforums member. He sold his entire suspension after he blew an on-ramp and flipped his car into a ditch.

VacMan do you think my car would get lower with cab specific sports? I want to update the suspension a bit but i dont want to go higher.

No, cabrio springs will help the rear, not the front. I'd pull the spring pads, it's worth almost another .5" drop. You can also do the 15mm drop hats that are being sold here as well. Combined they're be over a 1" drop in the front from your current stance (which I think looks good, btw.)

So the size and the way the suspension fits is still the same?

Yes, springs and shocks/struts are interchangeable as are the mounts. Only the spring and damping rates change. Do realize that the 325 cabrio is the heaviest E30 and definitely needs stiffer rear springs. I started out with non-cabrio springs and I couldn't stand it.

i thought the size of the body was the same until i swapped my metal bumpers to the plastic ones. on coupes you need to cut the rear one because they are too long for the early style body but on convertibles they fit perfect so there has to be some difference. i never had the chance to compare them side by side.

Early bodies have different rear wheel arches than facelift bodies. Earlier bodies' rear fender arch is higher. All cabrios have the lower arches, which is why plastic bumpers from a facelift car bolt right on even though cabrios didn't get the facelift until mid-'91.

On an early non-cabrio you have to cut out a section of the rear bumper to get it to fit properly. Writeups on how to do this exist on R3V but I've never needed to do it.

[Takeivy21]

Yes, springs and shocks/struts are interchangeable as are the mounts. Only the spring and damping rates change. Do realize that the 325 cabrio is the heaviest E30 and definitely needs stiffer rear springs. I started out with non-cabrio springs and I couldn't stand it.

Ok thanks, thats the info i was looking for, i knew the verts were heavier for obvious reasons, my question really came based off of not seeing any coilovers or spring/damper setup that drop it as low as i would like.

[handysmurf59]

i have the exact same setup and i do have problems with camber. i have about 2.5 degrees difference between the 2 sides (if i remember correctly). i need to get adjustable plates.

Thanks for the reply :-D. I will be looking into adjustable camber plates. Does anyone know which ones will correct the 2.5 degrees without bumping the front ride height back up? I really don't have much experence with this so any help would be great.

[VacMan]

Any camber plates will help the front. The rears require more work. I know some company has a weld-in kit for the rear with an eccentric for adjusting rear camber but I don't remember who.

[Cha Ching]

VacMan do you think my car would get lower with cab specific sports? I want to update the suspension a bit but i dont want to go higher.

Wishno, what size wheels are those? 18's?? Looks great!

[zep06]

any feedback on the h & r touring cup kit for convertibles? looks to be a slightly new product? the drop is the same as the cabrio springs, so i guess it just a matter of how good the shocks are that come with it.

[Wishno87]

Wishno, what size wheels are those? 18's?? Looks great!

They are 17X7.5 with 215/40s. Thanks dude!

[handysmurf59]

Has anyone removed the front spring pads when they installed their lowering springs? If so, how much of a height difference did it make?
Thanks,
Jason

[aworthybrother]

any pic of a 318 cabrio running m3 springs with drophats?

[thereisnoyun]

spring pads makes such a huge difference, many of the prior post did not show if they kept the spring pads or not. Its also important to note there are 3 thickness of pads for the rear, and I have all three, 9mm, 6mm and 3mm which makes a dramatic difference which one is in.

[aworthybrother]

does it make any clunking sounds when spring pad are removed in the front?

[VacMan]

does it make any clunking sounds when spring pad are removed in the front?

No. You won't notice any difference at all. I do think that there might be a little more vibration transfer versus having them in, but it's negligible.

Here's a clearer pic:

[Wh33lhop]

More pics of passenger seat.

[aworthybrother]

Thanks, I always admire your car. Everything looks perfect. Did you get a chance to compare how much height difference - with and w/out pads? Is it really .5 inches from what I've read? Thanks.

No. You won't notice any difference at all. I do think that there might be a little more vibration transfer versus having them in, but it's negligible.